What's the best engineering-related gift from or for an engineer?

Engineers can give good (or bad) gifts like anyone else. We want to hear about good engineering-related gifts you have given or received for various gift-giving opportunities.

02/13/2013

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What's the best engineering-related gift for or from an engineer?

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The question came about after seeing an email from the American Precision Museum in Windsor, Vermont, suggesting various Valentine gifts for a favorite engineer. These, the museum said, might include engineering-related books, an "I Like Machines" mug or baseball cap, a small item from one of the museum's lathes, a museum membership, or a donation to the museum in someone's name. American Precision Museum has an online shop, of course.

One favorite location for engineers around Chicago is Museum of Science and Industry. MSI has inspiring engineering-related exhibits, and the MSI shops have great gadgets. I was dragged out by the arm, last visit.

Also, I've been meaning to return to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich.; I haven't been in years. Of course they have a museum shop, too.

I think the best engineering-related gift I received was a small model steam engine when I was young. (I learned about the need for reduction gearing after a the first connection quickly blew apart a Tinker Toy windmill.)

What's the best engineering-related gift you've given or received? Leave your comments below, explaining what it was, and why it was a great engineering-related gift. Thanks!